AEF Achievements for 2017

2019-05-17

1、Life Education Programs

Life Education Tours in Schools

The ADLINK Education Foundation (AEF) has been supporting the Disabled Performing Arts Group (DPAG) for a long time. DPAG is a performing arts troupe consisting of people with mental and physical disabilities. It has been promoting the importance of life education in prisons, schools, hospitals and various organizations for many years. The brave life stories of how the members overcome life’s obstacles are told through DPAG’s artistic performances. With a demonstration of perseverance and value of life, DPAG aims to motivate and show their audiences - inmates, youths, students and patients alike, that there is no limit to life. Their performance is unprecedented and unique.

With AEF’s long-term support, DPAG has delivered hundreds of performance and has received recognition and support from influential people, the press and audiences. It is a well-developed troupe of veteran performers. DPAG completed its registration with the Department of Cultural Affairs in Taipei in January 2014 to expand the group’s presence and prospects. This was a milestone for DPAG’s independent operation. It is AEF’s hope that DPAG will keep displaying their belief in their performance to those that are in need and that they will flourish in the field of performing arts. AEF is currently working with DPAG on different educational programs, and will continue to offer ongoing support.

The Life Education Tours were sponsored by AEF and organized by DPAG for elementary school and junior high school students in rural areas of northern Taiwan, as well as schools that requested a visit. The goal of these tours is to teach students about love, gratitude and respecting differences.

In 2017, a total of 15 life education tours were made, including 10 in elementary and junior high schools, two in senior high schools, and one in college. Among which, 13 of them were held at the request of the schools. The tour dates were:

March 14  Qixian Elementary School

March 14  Dongxing Elementary School

March 21  Sanmin Elementary School

March 21  Xianming Elementary School

March 23  Taiwan Police College

April 7  Zhongyi Elementary School

April 22  Day trip with disadvantaged pupils from Leli Elementary Schoo to the Longgang Rice Noodle Festival

May 8  Minzu Elementary School

May 11  Minzu Elementary School

June 21  Sanmin Elementary School

September 13  Luodong Vocational High School

September 29  Sanyi High School

October 28  Gaorong’s Glory Christian Church

November 28  Hongye Elementary School

November 27  Shigang Elementary School

2、Summer Camps and Cultural Exchange Programs

Nomadic Educational Tour on Tibetan Plateau

Co-organizer:

Nomadic

Date:

August 10 to 26, 2017

Locations:

Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Jiegu Town in Yushu City, Maozhuang Township in Nangchen County, Mijing Summer Ranch

Highlights:

1. Immersing in Tibetan local village life
2. Exploring the issues of stray dog rescue
3. Experiencing life as nomads
4. Visiting a sky burial site
5. Roaming in Tibetan Buddhist monasteries
6. Going on a Kora (pilgrimage)

Participants:

A total of eight students were ed among those who had received scholarships from AEF or dedicated volunteers from our former camps. The participants included four students from Taiwan Police College, three students from National Taiwan College of Performing Arts and one youth volunteer who took part in ADLINK Cross-Strait Summer Camp for Kids.

An Introduction to Nomadic:

Nomadic is a social enterprise which offers authentic lifetime experience tours on the Tibetan Plateau (Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture) for those who are intrigued by the nomadic lifestyle and Tibetan culture. Their vision is to present a new value for the long-lasting nomadic civilization on the Tibetan Plateau. Their mission is to build mutual understanding between city dwellers and plateau nomads, so that they can face future challenges with each other’s support.

Message from our Board Member, Kevin Liu

This was the first time AEF co-organized the Nomadic Educational Tour. We hope to provide an opportunity for young people to experience the lifestyle and culture on the Tibetan Plateau, and we also would like to potential outstanding volunteers via this event.

A variety of activities were offered by Nomadic during the seventeen-day tour. Our eight participants experienced the local lifestyle together as a group while learning about Tibetan culture and religion. Despite personality differences, the members had showed strong motivation in learning and displaying good team spirit, and we were very pleased with what they achieved.

Fourth Annual ADLINK Beijing Opera Summer Camp

Date:

July 15 and 16, 2017 (No overnight stay)

Location:

National Taiwan College of Performing Arts, Neihu Campus

No.177, Section 2, Neihu Road, Neihu District, Taipei City

Origin: 

The primary purpose of this summer camp is to provide a caring atmosphere and facilitate artistic development. ADLINK Cross-Strait Summer Camp for Kids and Volunteer Pre-Camp Training are annual events at AEF. Employees of ADLINK Technology, children of the employees, students in New Taipei, and volunteers and campers from our former camps are invited to join the event.

We provide a wonderful opportunity for participants to bond with one another. Operatic arts workshops are offered with an aim to show the participants that this is not a one-time event, but rather AEF’s continuous effort to provide care and support for them.

Objectives:

1. To develop abilities that are essential for the participants’ future, such as cooperation, flexibility, and imagination and creativity through educational courses in arts, culture and performing arts.
2. To promote arts education and humanities through the platform of traditional performing arts, and to use the traditional performing arts to build a connection between industry, society and education.
3. To provide our former campers and volunteers an opportunity to cultivate artistic competency and a platform for information exchange and expressions of compassion.
4. To introduce participants to the beauty of the performing arts and the development of traditional culture via participation and experience.
5. To offer a general course as an introduction to traditional performing arts in Taiwan, and establish a positive teaching philosophy.
6. To enhance participants’ appreciation for the skills used in traditional Chinese opera and performing arts and to develop their personality traits along with their aesthetic awareness.

Overview:

1. The camp provides a range of courses through various performing arts workshops to teach traditional xiqu dances, Taiwanese fold opera, acrobatics, Taiko drumming, Chinese opera arts, Jingju make-up and costumes.
2. Eligibility and Fees: Employees and children of employees of ADLINK Technology, volunteers and campers of ADLINK Cross-Strait Summer Camp for Kids can join free of charge.

Seventh Annual ADLINK Cross-Strait Summer Camp for Kids and Volunteer Pre-Camp Training

Date:

July 21-23, 2017 Volunteer Pre-Camp Training

July 24-28, 2017 ADLINK Cross-Strait Summer Camp for Kids

Location:

ADLINK Technology Shanghai

(300 Fangchun Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai)

Overview:

ADLINK Cross-Strait Summer Camp for Kids has been AEF’s annual summer event at the ADLINK Technology branch office in China since 2011. Each year, 20 students with disadvantaged backgrounds from Shanghai and Taiwan respectively are chosen to participate in the summer camp. The plane tickets, accommodation, living expenses and course fees are fully sponsored by AEF.

In Taiwan, six participants were ed by the National Taiwan College of Performing Arts while another six were recommended by Boyo Social Welfare Foundation. Nine participants were chosen from Jinding School in Shanghai, making a total of 21 campers in 2017.

Students from juniors in senior high school to sophomores in university have been recruited as camp counselors since 2013. A three-day volunteer pre-camp training program was held to prepare them for their duties. This year, AEF is glad to have Zhi-Cheng zhang, Managing Director of Mowgli International Volunteer Association, to serve as a speaker for volunteer training in order to develop participants’ volunteer service attitude as well as the ins-and-outs of camping skills

The most extraordinary incident this year has to be the rejoining of two of our former campers. Wen-Yong Dong from Shanghai and Jia-Hong Zhong from Taiwan were campers from first year’s ADLINK Cross-Strait Summer Camp for Kids. They are now high school students and have come back to join us as camp counselors this time, serving kids with similar background as them. “One day I was organizing my room and I came across this camp guide,” Dong said. “I saw the inspiring messages and signatures from Ming Liu and Wei-Chian Ma (former speakers for volunteer training) in it. So I contacted Ms. Ma and expressed my interest in volunteering at the summer camp. I was thrilled to see my campmate, Jia-Hong there. His skills for folk performance arts have got even cooler! I’m so thankful to have an opportunity like this, and I cherish every moment I have with all the kids and volunteers. I hope these kids will also come back and volunteer in the future to pass the spirit on.”

Jim Liu, Chairman of ADLINK Technology, wishes to bring cross-strait students from disadvantaged backgrounds a unique experience every summer. For the participants, the summer camp not only develops team spirit and a positive attitude, but also offers access to technology education through arranged company tours. It is Liu’s intention to influence his employees in China to pitch in with volunteer work. He also hopes that the young camp counselors can bring their enthusiasm and energy to students from deprived backgrounds.

3、Scholarships and Awards Ceremony

AEF Scholarship 2017

Purpose:

The purpose of the AEF Scholarship is to encourage diligent students by recognizing their outstanding academic performance.

Amount Awarded:

1. High school students (including students in their first three years in a junior college): NT$10,000 per recipient
2. University students (including students in their last two years in a junior college): NT$20,000

Special cases will be reviewed by the Board of Directors for determination and execution.

Eligibility:

1. Applicants must be employees of ADLINK Technology (contract staff not included) or children of employees, AEF staff, AEF volunteers or children of AEF employees or volunteers. Qualified applicants who meet the following requirements are eligible to apply:

1. Applicants must be currently enrolled full-time students in senior high school or college, with the exception of government-funded students and late graduates.
2. Applicants must have an 80% average or above in their academic grade and conduct grade for both semesters in the 2016-2017 academic year.
3. Application is retrospective. For instance, a university freshman is eligible to apply using his/her high school senior-year grade; a university graduate is allowed to use his/her university fourth-year grade reports.
4. Preference will be given to applicants who have participated in AEF charity events or who have volunteer experience. Relevant proof, such as a Certificate of Completion, photos or participation feedback will need to be presented.
5. Applicants with outstanding achievements in fields like volunteer services, science and technology, arts, music, physical education, languages, etc. will receive priority consideration. Award certificates, academic certificates, photos, audio or video files will be required to be used as proof.

In 2017, a total amount of NT$180,000 was awarded by the AEF Scholarship, including two junior high school student, two university students and one graduate school student.

Tenth Annual Zhong-Xian Ni Scholarship

Co-organizer: Taiwan Police College

Overview:

Established in the will of Zhong-Xian Ni, the Zhong-Xian Ni Scholarship aims to award students who have demonstrated a high degree of scholastic persistence and performance.

Eligibility:

Students must meet the following requirements in order to apply for the scholarship:

1. Applicants must be a currently enrolled full-time students in Taiwan Police College.
2. Applicants must have a minimum 85% average in academic and conduct grades for both semesters in the 2016-2017 school year.
3. Preference will be given to applicants who have participated in AEF charity events or with volunteer experience. Relevant proof such as a Certificate of Completion, photos or participation feedback will need to be presented.
4. Applicants with outstanding achievements in fields like volunteer services, science and technology, arts, music, physical education, languages, extracurricular activities, etc. will receive priority consideration. Award certificates, academic certificates, photos, audio or video files will be required to be used as proof.

In 2017, AEF awarded 20 Zhong-Xian Ni Scholarships – each worth NT$20,000 – to students attending Taiwan Police College. The Foundation awarded grants totaling NT$400,000.

Fourth Annual Huang Yueh-O Art Scholarship

Co-organizer: National Taiwan College of Performing Arts

Overview:

This art scholarship, with its funding coming from AEF’s annual consultation budget, was established in memory of the public spiritedness of Huang Yueh-O, AEF’s former consultant, to assist and award students who demonstrate artistic merit at National Taiwan College of Performing Arts.

Eligibility and Amounts Awarded:

Current students at National Taiwan College of Performing Arts from the junior high and the senior high school divisions as well as the Department of Jing Ju, the Department of Acrobatics, the Department of Xi Qu Music and the Department of Taiwanese Folk Opera in the college division are eligible for this scholarship. An amount of NT5,000 is to be rewarded to each recipient enrolled in the junior high school division, NT$10,000 per recipient in the senior high school division, and NT$20,000 per recipient in the college division.

To receive this scholarship, an applicant must also meet the eligibility criteria applicable:

1. Complete and submit the application form with ID photo attached. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
2. Applicants from the above-mentioned divisions must have a minimum 80% average in academic and conduct grades as of both semesters in 2016-2017 academic year and have no record of disciplinary offences.
3. Submit a copy of the applicant’s grade report and a video (5-10 minutes long) of the applicant giving a performance that demonstrates the applicant’s professional skills acquired from their department, specifying characters and contents for the purpose of review.
4. Applicants are required to submit feedback of how they have overcome the challenges they faced during their learning process.In 2017, AEF awarded totaling NT$310,000 in Huang Yueh-O Art Scholarships to eight junior high school students, seven senior high school students, and ten college students at National Taiwan College of Performing Arts.

ADLINK Education Foundation Scholarships Ceremony

Date:

Saturday, December 17

1:30 PM Reception and Refreshments; 2:00-4:00 PM Presentation of Awards

Location:

Taiwan Police College, Auditorium in Shuren Building

10F, No. 153, Section 3, Xinglong Road, Wenshan District, Taipei City

Jim Liu, Chairman of ADLINK Technology, Ti-Kun Wei, President of Taiwan Police College, Rui-Bin Zhang, President of National Taiwan College of Performing Arts, and Harn-Fen Ni, Chairman of ADLINK Education Foundation attended the awards ceremony to celebrate the accomplishments of the students. The scholarship recipients were invited to speak and perform so as to share their joy with the honorable guests.

4、Social Welfare Programs

Inclusive Education Program collaborated with Boyo Social Welfare Foundation

A sponsorship amounting to NT$1,000,000 was provided to the Boyo Social Welfare Foundation (BSWF) in support of their Inclusive Education Program this year.

Achievements:

1. Offering Direct Tutoring
   With the participation of 364 tutors, served 1,895 elementary school and junior high school students in its 16 after school tutoring centers.
2. Training Local Tutors
   Currently 156 English tutors and 157 Math tutors have completed their teaching training.
   The tutor training system has proven to be effective: 88% of the students have fully acquired the first book of beginner English while 76% of them have reached 5th grade level in Math.
3. Tracking Post-Graduation Student Outcomes
   A total number of 967 students benefited from this program from 2004 to 2016, and among which, 908 of them have been regularly tracked for post-graduation success: 662 of these students are current students in senior high school or college while 195 of them are in the workforce. By tracking the outcomes of post-graduation students, continuous support and assistance can be provided when needed.
4. Offer Indirect Tutoring to Cooperated Institutes
   BSWF provides training in after school tutoring in cooperation with 50 institutes. A total of 902 students have benefited from the program. Currently 145 English tutors and 156 Math tutors are receiving regular training.

After School Tutoring Programs collaborated with Gaorong Social Care Association

This year, AEF financially supported Gaorong Social Care Association by donating a total amount of NT$600,000 to Gaorong Social Care Association for after school tutoring programs for elementary and junior high school students.

An Introduction to Gaorong Social Care Association

To better magnify the effect of social service from Gaorong Social Care Association, Professor Shi-Nian Yang, Chairman of the association, has extended the association’s target participants to elementary and junior high school students. After school tutoring centers for junior high school students and elementary school students were established in November 2015 and February 2016, respectively. With the sponsorship and assistance from AEF and Mingshui Foundation, an appropriate and supportive environment in which disadvantaged students can learn and develop like many other children has been created.

After School Tutoring Program in Guoling Junior High School

This after school tutoring program, founded in November 2015, provides remedial tutoring sessions for students who fall behind in mathematics. Students registered in this program are divided into classes based on their achievement levels and are provided with individual instruction and care from experienced tutors. The program aims to help the students build confidence and interest in learning and to narrow the academic achievement gap.

Day and Time:

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4:30-6:30 pm

Location:

Glory Christian Church, 2nd floor classroom

Participants:

Junior high school students with disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds

Participant Feedback:

• “I’ve joined the tutoring program for over a year and I’m really thankful for the staff at Glory Christian Church and the support from AEF. They provide us an excellent environment and tutors. I’m really grateful.”
• “I’ve learned so much through the program. The tutors have made me realize what type of learner I am. I’m not used to asking questions and I tend to be reliant on other people. I’m trying to change. I think I’ve gained a lot of knowledge from this program. I’d like to thank all the tutors and everyone at the church.”
• “It’s been a year and a half since I joined the program in grade seven. I’m so thankful for all the tutors that have taught me and for Glory Christian Church. I know people here always work hard to prepare materials for class, and I really appreciate that. I’m so blessed.”
• “I’m thrilled to have the chance to be here. I come here to learn to solve math problems and I get a lot of practice. I may make a ton of mistakes doing the practice tests, but I get more questions right on exams. I learn from my mistakes.”

After School Tutoring Program in Chungping Elementary School

Established in February 2016, the after school tutoring program in Chungping Elementary School aims to offer tutoring sessions and caretaking service for 5th and 6th grade students. Group events led by experienced tutors are carried out after students’ completion of academic tutoring.

Day and Time:

Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 4:00-6:00 PM

Wednesdays, 1:00-6:00 PM

Location:

Glory Christian Church, 1st floor meeting room and 2nd floor classroom

Participants:

Students with disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds that are chosen by the school, as well children in the local village

Overview:

In addition to tutoring academic subjects, a variety of engaging courses such as scientific experiments, English conversation, street dance, ukulele, character education and board games are offered on Wednesdays when tutoring hours are longer than other days, from 1:00 to 6:00 PM.

Li-Hua Liu and Jing-Wen Chen, teachers from Chungping Elementary School, who also serve as program tutors, have specifically designed character education courses as they are no longer included in regular elementary schools. The evaluation done after two months showed both great learning results and positive feedback from the 31 students who participated.

Events collaborated with Taiwan Curio Art Association

AEF funded NT$300,000 for the Taiwan Curio Art Association in 2017.

Children with autism are unique individuals, with unique ways to bridge the gap that exists between them and the outside world. To most people, their uniqueness tends to be interpreted as learning challenges or difficulties. However, from a broader point of view these children obtain distinctive abilities and a keen intuition. They see the world with a different lens and a unique angle.

Missions of the Taiwan Curio Art Association:

1. Extend art creation opportunities

   With suitable venues and courses provided, adolescents with autism have a chance to continue their artistic creativity outside of school. The association aims to provide tailored and diverse learning plans for each individual at different phases.

2. Develop aesthetic skills

3. From outdoor field trips to shopping at a market, to cooking, to making and serving coffee, to cleaning and decorating, the association offers participants a chance to enhance their ability to observe their surroundings, as well as their aesthetic appreciation and their living quality. This is achieved through exposure to nature and to daily routines.

4. Foster art-related skills at the workplace
   The association offers the opportunity to show that art can be incorporated into the workplace, providing a chance for the children to improve their art skills, to have the opportunity to make money, to learn how to prepare products for the purpose of selling them, and to learn skills that can be used in life and work. The association also works with art-related industries and professional workers, so that the children have the opportunity to have internships and job opportunities.

5. Organize irregularly scheduled small-scale outdoor sketching trips, as well as big-scale trips (lasting approximately three to five days) twice a year.

6. Cross the autism bridge
   In order to increase awareness of autism spectrum disorder, and to help teenagers with autism to gain more support from the society, the association:

• holds exhibitions
• organizes on-the-spot art competitions
• invents and develops artistic stationery and household gadgets
• opens up some courses to self-learning groups
• hosts workshops, seminars, pre-school group courses and parent-child courses
• recruits volunteers
• cooperates with different industries

Sponsored Events:

5、Publications

ADLINK Travel Journey: The Tibetan Plateau

This is the story of how one social work enthusiast, three inheritors of traditional performing arts, and four justice-loving members of law enforcement spent 17 memorable days on the Tibetan Plateau.